Are we missing out on giving our children a brighter future?
UK mothers are unaware of the beneficial role of omegas in infant development
A recent European survey reveals that UK mums and mums-to-be may be unknowingly affecting their infant´s brain and eye development, due to a lack of understanding about the importance of omegas in their diets whilst pregnant and when nursing and in the diets of their infants after birth.
Consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically DHA omega-3 and AA omega-6 fatty acids, or omegas, is important for good health. DHA omega-3 is important for optimal brain, eye and nervous system development in infants. AA omega-6 is also important for proper brain development. Major infant brain growth occurs during pregnancy and throughout the first two years of life. During these times, infants have the greatest need for DHA omega-3 and/or AA omega-6.
The Baby Europe survey, commissioned by Martek Biosciences, interviewed 1,500 pregnant women and new mothers in the UK, France and Germany to find out how much they knew about the role of omegas in infant development. The survey highlighted that although there was a general understanding of omegas in all three countries, surprisingly the majority of women interviewed did not know how important these fatty acids are in infant development and health.
“The key message from this survey is that health professionals and women have limited awareness of the role of omegas in infant development” says Professor Stewart Forsyth, Consultant Paediatrician and Medical Director, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee. “Over the last 10 years many research studies have highlighted the importance of DHA omega-3 and AA omega-6 in infant development and more recent research has indicated potential long-term benefits. It is therefore important that health professionals are aware of this information and able to include the role of omegas when they offer nutritional advice to pregnant and lactating women.”
The Baby Europe survey found that even though over 70 percent of UK women claimed that they received invaluable advice from their GPs or midwives about nutrition in general, over three quarters of women in the UK were not advised by their healthcare professional to include omega-3 fatty acids in their diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
In addition, a second survey (ix) of midwives, obstetricians, paediatric nurses and health visitors in the UK, France and Germany, found that although UK midwives are leading the way in recommending omegas to their patients, the actual numbers were very low. For example, just under one in five UK midwives, only 3 percent of German midwives, and no French midwives recommend omega-3 fatty acids as an important part of nutrition for pregnant women and new mothers.
- Only 33 percent of French women were aware of DHA omega-3 versus 72 percent of UK women
- Although nearly three quarters of UK women are aware of DHA omega-3, over 50 percent do not link this fatty acid to brain development and only 6 percent are aware of its role in eye development
- In France and Germany only 14 percent of French women and 19 percent of German women link DHA omega-3 to brain development
- There is even less knowledge of AA omega-6. Only 12 percent of UK respondents had even heard of AA omega-6, with just below half aware of its function, in comparison to an even lower 6 percent of French respondents
- UK midwives play a pivotal role in offering nutritional advice to women in the UK, however, their knowledge of the benefits of omegas is much lower than their German counterparts’
About DHA omega-3
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid, or ‘good’ fat, found throughout the body. It is a major structural fat in the brain and retina of the eye accounting for up to 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain and up to 93 percent of the omega-3 fats in the retina (i,ii). It is also a key component of the heart. Studies have shown that DHA omega-3 is important for infant brain, eye and nervous system development (i,ii,iii,iv) and has been shown to support long-term heart health. It is important throughout pregnancy, but particularly in the third trimester when significant brain growth occurs (ii). Mothers who supplement their DHA levels during pregnancy and nursing, significantly enhance the level of DHA available to their unborn baby and infant.
About AA omega-6
Arachidonic acid, AA, is a long-chain omega-6 fatty acid, another ’good‘ fat. It is the principal omega-6 in the brain, representing about 48 percent of the omega-6 fats (ii). Like DHA, AA omega-6 is important for proper brain development in infants. It is also a precursor to a group of hormone-like substances called eicosanoids that play a role in immunity, blood clotting and other vital functions in the body. For additional information on DHA omega-3 and AA omega-6 please visit www.dhababy.com.
